Supporting Family Caregivers
November is National Family Caregivers Month. Across the country, millions of spouses, adult children and friends provide unpaid care for someone living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia. This care is an act of love, and it is also hard, around-the-clock work.
If you are the caregiver
- Accept help. When someone offers, have a specific task ready: picking up a prescription, staying with your loved one for an afternoon, or bringing a meal.
- Learn about the disease. Knowing what to expect at each stage makes changes less frightening.
- Join a support group. Talking with others who understand can ease isolation. Many meet in person or online.
- Protect your own health. Keep your own doctor visits, and try to get rest, exercise and time with friends.
- Plan ahead. Put powers of attorney and health care directives in place early, and learn about care options before a crisis.
If you want to help a caregiver
- Call or visit regularly, not just once.
- Offer specific help rather than “let me know if you need anything.”
- Spend time with the person who has dementia so the caregiver can take a break.
- Listen without judging or giving unrequested advice.
Respite and long-term options
Short breaks, such as adult day programs or in-home help, can give caregivers time to recharge. When care needs grow beyond what one person can safely provide, a memory care home can share the load. Moving a loved one into memory care doesn’t end the caregiving role; it lets families return to being a spouse, son or daughter while trained staff handle daily care.
Have questions about memory care for someone you love? Call Generations Senior Living at (352) 474-2696 or schedule a tour of one of our three homes near The Villages.
